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Abstract
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Article Information:
The Sediment Characteristics of Okpoka Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria
A.D.I. George, J.F.N. Abowei and M.E. Allison
Corresponding Author: Abowei Jasper
Submitted: 2009 July, 29
Accepted: 2009 August, 19
Published: 2010 January, 10 |
Abstract:
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The sediment characteristic of Okpoka creek was studied for a period of two years. Sediment
samples were collected using an Eckman grab of 10 cm diameter and 12 cm long. Water absorbency of the
sediments was determined after samples had been oven-dried and crushed in a mortar using pestle. Water
absorbency of the dry soils in the Okpoka creek ranged between 20.73±1.43% (station 3) and 46.7±4.29%
(station 2) with a mean value of (27.55±2.31%). Particle density values varied from 1.27 g cm-3 to 2.64 g cm-3
across the stations with a mean value of 2.16 g cmG3. The highest value (2.64 g cm-3) was recorded in station
3, where as the least value (1.27 g cm-3) was observed in station 2. Similarly, bulk density had a low value of
0.76 g cm-3 in station 2 and the highest value (1.45gcm-3) was obtained in station 1, with a density value of
1.28gcm-3 . Porosity or percent (%) pore space of the sediments ranged between 29.89% in station 6 and
56.47% (station 2) with a mean value of 39.12%. The sand contents of the sediment were high across the
stations. The percentage sand content ranged between 60.12% and 90.68% with a mean value of 73.97%.
Station 3 had the highest value of 90.68% and the lowest value of 60.12% was obtained in station 2. The
percentage silt content ranged between 13.46 and 38.35% with a mean value of 27.14%. The highest percentage
silt content of 38.35% was recorded for station 2, while the lowest value of 13.46% was obtained for station
4. The mean value of clay content was 22%. Clay content was highest in station 2 with a value of 30.98%, while
the lowest value (18.67%) was obtained in station 4. Generally, the result obtained showed that sand
dominanted across the stations, except station 2, which revealed loamy sand textural. The sandy sediment type
observed in Okpoka Creek was an indication of the abundance of benthic macro invertebrates. Particularly
swimming crabs whose daily lifecycle involve burrowing in the substratum are abundant in sandy sediment.
Key words: Niger Delta, Nigeria, Okpoba Creek, Sediment characteristics, , ,
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Cite this Reference:
A.D.I. George, J.F.N. Abowei and M.E. Allison, . The Sediment Characteristics of Okpoka Creek, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, (1): Page No: 9-14.
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ISSN (Online): 2041-3890
ISSN (Print): 2041-3882 |
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